I was disgusted to see that in today's Dominion Post opinion item, Dave Armstrong used the word "breeders" when referring to parents of children. As I have said before, this is an offensive term with negative connotation, equating the procreation of human beings to that of animals. This word should not be used in polite company, and should certainly not be used by a reputable newspaper.
Here is what Armstrong said in What's in a Kiwi name? A lack of imagination:
Recently I also discovered that "breeders" is homosexual slang for parents. Just like the word "poofter" is derogatory towards homosexuals, so is "breeders" derogatory towards heteroseuxals. Here is the definition of "breeder" from the Urban Dictionary:
I have left the following message in the comments for the article. I wonder if the moderator will let it through?
There will be those who think this post is an extreme reaction to a seemingly minor word. However, if you see my previous post on this subject, you'll see the words people use affect how they think about certain things. Just as in Sweden the word that was used for housewife changed the Swedes view of women who stayed home to look after their families from something that was considered a positive and honourable thing to do to something that was not so positive - just by changing one itty bitty word!
If it becomes common practice to refer to parents as "breeders", then the idea of becoming parents will be considered to be something that is less than desirable. I mean, who wants to be a "breeder"? That's what you do with rabbits or dogs, not human beings. And therefore in a world in which it is already difficult to raise children successfully, those who are more likely to be able to do so well will be less inclined than they are now. Leaving our future more and more in the hands of the feral underclass who use their children as meal tickets and don't care what any one thinks of them.
Related link: Why are baby names so boring (renamed from What's in a Kiwi name? A lack of imagination
Previous blog post on the word "breeders": Human Breeders
Here is what Armstrong said in What's in a Kiwi name? A lack of imagination:
I think the latest names show a distinct lack of imagination on the part of our breeders.Thus linking back to his title and the point of his article.
Recently I also discovered that "breeders" is homosexual slang for parents. Just like the word "poofter" is derogatory towards homosexuals, so is "breeders" derogatory towards heteroseuxals. Here is the definition of "breeder" from the Urban Dictionary:
1: slang term used by some childfree people for one who has a child and/or has many after that, refuses to discipline the child/ren, thinks the sun rises and sets for their child/ren, look down upon people who do not have children, and are in general very selfish and greedy when it comes to their whims and those of their child/ren, especially if they can use their parenthood status or their children as an excuse to get their way. A female breeder is commonly called a moo, and a male breeder a duh.
2: slang term used by people of homosexual persuasion to refer to heterosexual couples, who have a significantly higher risk of contributing to the population increase than the homosexuals do.
"Can you believe the nerve of those breeders? They come in to a nice restaurant and proceed to sit by and watch while their progeny shriek and run all over the place, and then let the children make a huge mess and do not even tip the waitstaff. Disgusting..."
I have left the following message in the comments for the article. I wonder if the moderator will let it through?
The word "breeders" is a derogatory term typically used by homosexuals towards heterosexual parents. It implies that parents are animals. I am surprised and disgusted that there is now an attempt to mainstream this word through the paper.
There will be those who think this post is an extreme reaction to a seemingly minor word. However, if you see my previous post on this subject, you'll see the words people use affect how they think about certain things. Just as in Sweden the word that was used for housewife changed the Swedes view of women who stayed home to look after their families from something that was considered a positive and honourable thing to do to something that was not so positive - just by changing one itty bitty word!
If it becomes common practice to refer to parents as "breeders", then the idea of becoming parents will be considered to be something that is less than desirable. I mean, who wants to be a "breeder"? That's what you do with rabbits or dogs, not human beings. And therefore in a world in which it is already difficult to raise children successfully, those who are more likely to be able to do so well will be less inclined than they are now. Leaving our future more and more in the hands of the feral underclass who use their children as meal tickets and don't care what any one thinks of them.
Related link: Why are baby names so boring (renamed from What's in a Kiwi name? A lack of imagination
Previous blog post on the word "breeders": Human Breeders